2018 NPFL Match Day 15 fixtures

Wednesday, April 4

Nasarawa United    vs Katsina United   
Rivers United      vs Heartland   
Abia Warriors      vs Lobi Stars
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Akwa United
Plateau United     vs Wikki Tourists
Kano Pillars       vs FC IfeanyiUbah   
Sunshine Stars     vs Kwara United
Enyimba            vs Niger Tornadoes
Enugu Rangers      vs Yobe Stars   
GO Round        vs MFM FC, Lagos

Olaniyan wins 10th Ashdam Solar anniversary Tennis Tournament

Mr Ademola Olaniyan has emerged victorious at the 10th Ashdam Solar Anniversary Tennis Tournament held recently at the clay court of the Ibadan Tennis Club.

Olaniyan, perhaps in what turned out to be a near one-sided final overwhelmed his older opponent, Mr Innocent Agwuncha 6-1, 6-1 to claim the star prize.

Members of Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC), Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club (OATC), The Tennis Family as well as tennis enthusiasts, in the Ibadan metropolis witnessed the final which was officiated by ex-international, coach Faboyinde Adepeju.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashdam Solar, Mr Yemi Asaleye, expressed joy at the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by all the participants during the tournament.

"This tournament is to mark the 10th anniversary of Ashdam Solar Limited and I quite appreciate the tremendous support we received from the entire members and staff of Ibadan Tennis Club. In fact, I thank every individual who contributed to make this tournament a huge success.

"I'm convinced that the objectives of organising this tournament which also included to foster unity among members of this Club and create a healthy tournament environment after a series of training have been fully achieved.

"As far as I'm concerned, there is no victor, no vanquished in this tournament. Every participant is a winner and I must commend the winner and the runner up for making it to the final," Asaleye, who is also a member of ITC stated.

Meanwhile, Captain of ITC, Tennis Section, Mr Femi Oyewole, Alhaji Taju Busari, Mr A. Atoyebi, Mr Matthew Okoye, Mr Ayo Adumati, Alhaji Baderin, Mr Y. Oshilaja, Mr D. Gambo, Mr Alhassan, coach Yekini Kasali, Mr Femi Oyewole, Mr W. Akinyooye, Mr J. Okoromadu, Egnr. Funmi Oyetosho, Mr P. Faboyinde, Mr O. Oyewole and Mr A. Olosun, among others also participated in the tournament.
 

Captions:

Photo 1.

From left, the umpire, Mrs Faboyinde Adepeju, runner up, Mr Innocent Agwuncha; the sponsor of the tournament, Mr Yemi Asaleye; wife of the sponsor, Mrs Damilola Asaleye; winner of the tournament, Mr Ademola Olaniyan and the immediate past Captain, Tennis Section of ITC, Chief Funsho Abiri, during the 10th Ashdam Solar anniversary Tennis Tournament final at the clay court of the Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC).

Photo 2.
From left, the runner up, Mr Innocent Agwuncha; the umpire, Mrs Faboyinde Adepeju and the winner of the tournament, Mr Ademola Olaniyan, before the final of the 10th Ashdam Solar anniversary Tennis Tournament.

Photo 3:
From left, the runner up, Mr Innocent Agwuncha; sponsor of the tournament, Mr Yemi Asaleye; his wife, Mrs Damilola Asaleye and the winner of the tournament, Mr Ademola Olaniyan, before the final of the 10th Ashdam Solar anniversary Tennis Tournament.

Photo 4:
From left, sponsor of the tournament, Mr Yemi Asaleye; winner of the tournament, Mr Ademola Olaniyan; wife of the sponsor, Mrs Damilola Asaleye and the runner up, Mr Innocent Agwuncha after the final of the 10th Ashdam Solar anniversary Tennis Tournament.

2018 NPFL Match Day 14 results, scorers, table

*Heartland      2 Nasarawa United 1
MacMarcel Obioha -Heartland (32nd, 95th minute)
Ikechukwu Nwani  -Nasarawa  (60th minute)

*Lobi Stars     3 Rivers United 2
Austine Ogunye    -Lobi       (19th minute)
Oche Salefu       -Rivers Utd (22nd minute)
Frederick Obomate -Rivers Utd (43rd minute)
Ezekiel Mbah      -Lobi       (70th minute)
Austine Ogunye    -Lobi       (+90th minute)

*Akwa United    1 Abia Warriors 1
Samson Obi        -Abia Warriors (75th minute)
Christian Pygbara -Akwa United   (85th minute)

*Wikki Tourists 3 El-Kanemi Warriors 0
Abar Umar    -27th minute
Shammah Tanze - 48th, 61st minute

*FC IfeanyiUbah 3 Plateau United 0
Yaya Kone (44th, 55th, 62nd minute)

*Kwara United   2 Kano Pillars 1
Junior Lokosa     -Pillars (26th minute)
Sunday Okechukwu -Kwara    (64th minute)
Lookman Binuyo   -Kwara    (70th minute)

*Niger Tornadoes 1 Sunshine Stars 0
Austine Igenepo (7th minute)

*Yobe Stars      1 Enyimba 1
Mustapha Ibrahim -Enyimba (5th minute)
Philip Auta      -Yobe    (59th minute)

*Go Round        2 Enugu Rangers 2
Ifeanyi George -Rangers  (7th, 23rd minute)
Okon Otop      -Go round (62nd minute)
Chile Azu      -Go Round (90th minute)

*MFM FC, Lagos   2 Katsina United 1
Garba Yashua     -Katsina (37th minute)
Chijioke Akuneto -MFM FC  (49th, 67th minute)

Caption:
Yaya Kone celebrates after scoring last Sunday. He was the second player to have scored a hat-trick this season, after Nafiu Kabuga of Wikki Tourists, who scored all goals during a Match Day 12 clash with Rivers United

.

Bruno warns Joshua ahead Parker March 31 showdown

ANTHONY Joshua can’t afford to go in too aggressive on Joseph Parker or he could end up in a bad way.
Both fighters will be looking to maintain they unbeaten professional records when they touch gloves at the Principality Stadium on April 1 (NZT), with three major heavyweight titles at stake.
And Bruno reckons there are several steps the Briton can take to make his fight easier with the New Zealand native.
“Anthony Joshua has got the size, the power, and the skill - and Parker is a guy who comes to him all the time,” Bruno told Sky Sports.
“If Joshua moves around and uses his reach and his power, he should make it, not an easy fight, but make it easier for himself.
“Joshua has a lot of skill, a lot of size, a lot of power. If he just relaxes and uses Parker to come in, it is as simple as that.
“If he is going to get macho and start wanting to tear up with him, then Parker is a very dangerous guy, very fit, and he is on you all the time.”
Should Joshua

beat Parker, a bout with Deontay Wilder will likely be on the cards for the 28-year-old.

2018 NPFL Match Day 14 fixtures

Sunday, March 25

Heartland      vs Nasarawa United
Lobi Stars     vs Rivers United
Akwa United    vs Abia Warriors
Wikki Tourists vs El-Kanemi Warriors
FC IfeanyiUbah vs Plateau Utd
Kwara United   vs Kano Pillars
Niger Tornadoes vs Sunshine Stars
Yobe Stars      vs Enyimba
Go Round        vs Enugu Rangers
MFM FC, Lagos   vs Katsina United

Cardiff showdown: I will stop Parker by Rd 8--Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has acknowledged the validity of Joseph Parker's challenge but has vowed the Kiwi will be his latest knockout victim, even predicting the timing of his finishing blow.
WBA and IBF champion Joshua takes on WBO champion Parker in Cardiff on April 1 in a world heavyweight title unification fight.
Joshua is unbeaten over 20 fights as professional, winning all by stoppages for the perfect record.
"Joseph Parker is dedicated. He's going to come 50 per cent better than I've ever seen him before," AJ told Sky Sports in the UK as the build-up intensifies.
But Joshua said he has also been working harder than ever before. Both fighters have been eager to lose weight to improve mobility and Joshua is feeling the rewards.
"What I've learned is that boxing is simplified when you incorporate your feet. Even though it's a game of punching people, your feet get you in and out of the way," Joshua said.
"So if I can transform what I've worked on in the gym for the last 10 to 11 weeks into the ring then hopefully I can get him out of there between six and eight."
Parker has been given little chance by the bookmakers or by Joshua's fans. But he has only really come into their public consciousness over the last year or so when Team Parker started targeting the British audience in the hope of getting some fight time there.
Consequently their view of Parker has been clouded by watching his two worst performances that came in the last year when he struggled his way past Razvan Cojanu and looked ponderous in trying to catch Hughie Fury, frustratingly winning both fights by points.
Not even the plucky win over Andy Ruiz for the vacant WBO title could convince them that Parker was a genuine threat to their British hero.
Joshua's homework goes deeper than that and he will be aware of the speed and power Parker displayed in shaping himself as a genuine title contender in an impressive run towards that Ruiz fight in late 2016.
Meanwhile, Italian Giuseppe Quartarone has been named the referee for the fight where the winner will go home with the WBO, IBF and WBA titles.
The three-man judging panel will be made up of Scott from Wellington, a Brit and an American.
...............
Caption:
Anthony Joshua (right) deals with Dominic Breazeale, during their heavyweight bout.

2018 NPFL Match Day 13 results, scorers

*Katsina United     1 Heartland       0
Lukman Mohammed -3rd minute

*Nasarawa United    2 Lobi Stars      1
Austine Ogunye  -Lobi Stars (5th minute)
Nojeem Olukokun -Nasarawa   (20th minute)
Ikechukwu Nwani -Nasarawa   (32nd minute)

*Abia Warriors      2 Wikki Tourists  0
Samson Obi (brace)

*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 FC IfeanyiUbah  0
Ocheme Edoh -33rd minute

*Kano Pillars       1 Niger Tornadoes 1
Andrew Ikefe  -Tornadoes (19th minute)
Junior Lokosa -Pillars   (78th minute)

*Sunshine Stars     2 Yobe Stars      1
Babatunde Solomon -Yobe Stars (17th minute)
Bala Yahuza       -Sunshine   (32nd minute)
Sikiru Alimi      -Sunshine   (61st minute)

*Enyimba            2 Go Round FC 0
Joseph Osadiaye    (51st minute)
Abdulrahman Bashir (63rd minute)

*Plateau United      2 Kwara United 0
Tosin Omoyele     (20th minute)
Raphael Ayagwa  (85th minute)

*Enugu Rangers     0 MFM FC, Lagos 0
 
*Rivers United 2 Akwa United 0
Emeka Ogbuh
Malachy Ohawume

2018 NPFL Match Day 13 fixtures

Sunday, March 18

Katsina United  vs Heartland
Nasarawa United vs Lobi Stars
Rivers United   vs Akwa United
Abia Warriors   vs Wikki Tourists
El-Kanemi Warriors vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Kano Pillars       vs Niger Tornadoes
Sunshine Stars     vs Yobe Stars
Enyimba            vs Go Round FC

April 4, 2018
Plateau United     vs Kwara United
Enugu Rangers      vs MFM FC, Lagos

2018 NPFL Match Day 12 results, scorers, table

*Lobi Stars 1 Katsina United 0
David Tyavkase-69th minute

*Wikki Tourists 3 Rivers United 0
Nafiu Kabuga-hat-trick

*FC IfeanyiUbah 1 Abia Warriors 1
Patrick Ikeokwu -IfeanyiUbah (5th minute)
Samson Obi      -Abia Warriors (66th minute)

*Kwara United 1 El-Kanemi Warriors 1
Anthony Dasouza -El-Kanemi (36th minute)
Anayor  Ogbonna   -Kwara Utd (54rd minute)

*Niger Tornadoes 1 Plateau United 0

*Yobe Stars 2 Kano Pillars 0
Joel Djondang -own goal, 24th minute
Abdulmalik Mohammad-71st minute

*Go Round 1 Sunshine Stars 0
Okon Otop (34th minute)

*Enugu Rangers 1 Enyimba 0
Bright Silas-5th minute

*MFM FC, Lagos 3 Heartland 0
Stanley Okorom
Chuka Nwaga
Tchato Gichard

*Akwa United 1 Nasarawa Utd 0
Adesina Gata -9th minute

2018 NPFL Match Day 12 fixtures

Sunday, March 11

Enugu Rangers   vs Enyimba
Lobi Stars      vs Katsina United
MFM FC          vs Heartland
Akwa United     vs Nasarawa United
Wikki Tourists  vs Rivers United
FC IfeanyiUbah  vs Abia Warriors
Kwara United    vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Niger Tornadoes vs Plateau United
Yobe Stars      vs Kano Pillars
Go Round        vs Sunshine Stars

2018 NPFL Match Day 11 results, scorers

*Heartland 0  Lobi Stars 1
Samad Kadiri -25th minute

*Nasarawa United 1 Wikki Tourists 0
Mohammed Suleiman-48th minute

*Rivers United   1 FC Ifeanyiubah 1
Onyekachi Chidume-IfeanyiUbah (59th minute)
Ochefu Salefu -Rivers United  (85th minute)

*Abia Warriors   1 Kwara United 0
Austin Obaroakpo -52nd minute

*Kano Pillars    2 Go Round 0
Alhassan Ibrahim -57th minute
Junior Lokosa    -85th minute

*Sunshine Stars 1 Enugu Rangers 1
Ifeanyi George -Rangers (28th minute)
Nojeem Raji -Sunshine   (88th minute)

*El-Kanemi Warriors 0 Niger Tornadoes 0

 *Plateau United 2 Yobe Stars 1
Amos Gyang     -Plateau Utd (35th minute)
Philip Asuquo  -Yobe Stars  (45th minute)
Emmanuel Odafe -Plateau Utd (55th minute)

*Enyimba        2 MFM FC, Lagos 0
Nelson Ogbonanya (12th minute)
Chinonso Okonkwo (24th minute)

Wilder secures 40th career win, retains WBC belt

REIGNING World Boxing Council (WBC) champion, Deontay Wilder stopped Luis Ortiz at the Barclays Center in New York in the 10th round of a heavyweight slug-fest as he retained his

title.

The American is desperate to take on WBA, IBF and IBO champion, Anthony Joshua later in the year in a unification bout.

Wilder lost the opening four rounds as he struggled to solve the previously unbeaten Cuban puzzle in front of him.

But he dropped the challenger in the fifth round with a right hand to finally get a foothold on the fight.

That lasted until the seventh round when he himself was in deep trouble as Ortiz sensed blood and almost earned the stoppage.

This time it was the champion who made it to his corner but he continued to struggle in the subsequent session.

Wilder had taken the challenger's best punches, however, and began to fight back.

Victory looked to have come in the 10th round when he dropped the challenger but Ortiz did well to somehow beat the count though he did so on unsteady legs and he was in no position to defend himself as Wilder went for the kill.

And, when a vicious uppercut sent him to the canvas again, referee David Fields waved it off before he had even hit the floor with 2:05 on the clock.

All three judges had Wilder a point up at the time of the stoppage, scores that were at odds with those at ringside.

The champion, who is now unbeaten in 40 fights, said: “King Kong ain't got nothing on me! A true champion always finds a way to come back and that’s what I did tonight.

“Luis Ortiz is a crazy guy and he put up a greet fight. He was a great opponent and I showed I can take a punch.

“When he leaves tonight he can hold his head up high. It was an awesome fight and my heart goes out to Luis Ortiz.”

The Cuban after his fall believes it was not his day after all he gave out his best to end the reign of the flamboyant American.

"He hit me with flurries of punches but they didn't have any sting, they just knocked me off balance. I showed I am a true champion tonight. My grandmother told me a long time ago that I was anointed by god.

"I feel fine. I did receive a right hand, but I'm OK. I was listening to the directions that my corner was giving me. In this sport, any punch can end a fight. But in the ring anything can happen," Ortiz stated.

Meanwhile, Joshua of course, still needs to do the business against Joseph Parker in Cardiff on March 31, when he will attempt to add the WBO belt to his WBA and IBF titles.

Whoever comes out on top in Cardiff will then surely face WBC champion Wilder in a unification fight for the ages which will render the first ever heavyweight champion to hold all four major belts at once.

"I'm ready right now. I always said that I want to unify. I'm ready whenever those guys are. I am the baddest man on the planet and I proved that tonight. This solidified my position at the top of the food chain tonight.

"Soon there will be one champion, one face, one name – that will be Deontay Wilder. It's not about how big your muscles are – it's about the heart," said Wilder.
 ...............
GRITTY: Wilder (left) in an exchange of punches with Ortiz, before the latter fell in Round 10 on Saturday night in New York, USA.


 

I'm the most dangerous heavyweight boxer---Wilder

Deontay Wilder claims that Anthony Joshua needs to recognise that Wilder, and not Tyson Fury is the “most dangerous” heavyweight in boxing.

Wilder, set to defend his WBC heavyweight title against Luis Ortiz, has been calling out Joshua for a unification fight for most of 2017, and believes that Joshua needs to re-examine the notion of Fury being more dangerous than the Alabama knockout artist.

“If the people around Joshua really cared about him and loved him, I think someone should’ve tapped him on the shoulder and whispered in his ear to tell him he’s got it all wrong,” Wilder exclusively told Sky Sports.

“Everyone knows that Tyson Fury isn’t the biggest threat in the heavyweight division. Everyone knows who is the man in the heavyweight division, hands down.

“I have that ability to do anything I want. I am the most dangerous man in the division, hands down. There hasn’t been anyone I have fought that I haven’t knocked out.”
Wilder believes that there is a psychological reason for Joshua claiming that Fury is the toughest fighter.

“So if he [Joshua] says that, and he needs to keep that in his mind to feel confident because we know this fight will happen. If that gives him the confidence he needs to try and beat me, he is entitled to his own opinion.”

Caption: Red-hot Wilder (left), deals with an opponent.

 

Joshua 'll be happy to face Wilder--Hearn

Anthony Joshua would be 'happy' to face Deontay Wilder next, if they both successfully come through their world title fights, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
The American heavyweight aimed a fresh verbal attack at fellow champion Joshua and Hearn ahead of his WBC title defence against Luis Ortiz in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.
"Talking of milking the cow, I think Deontay's got a chip on his shoulder, because his udders are dry," Hearn told Sky Sports News.
"He's making very small money and needs a new promoter. I don't think he has a promoter at the moment, so if he doesn't - Deontay just pick up the phone, drop me a line. We'll get this AJ fight, we'll make you some real money.
Make no mistake, I was with Anthony Joshua this morning, he wants to fight Deontay Wilder.
"He's WBC champion, he's a great fighter, who is a great personality, but for this camp he's been like a one-man salesman, just travelling around the globe, trying to sell his own fight. He should be in camp. This is a proper fight, his first real test.
"Make no mistake, I was with Anthony Joshua this morning, he wants to fight Deontay Wilder. He sees that as an easier fight potentially than the Joseph Parker fight.
"The plan is to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
He's got to deal with Parker first on March 31, it's a tough fight.
After that, Deontay is coming to Cardiff, we can sit down, we can get that fight made. No problems from our side."
Hearn is prepared to offer a two-fight deal to Wilder, which would see Joshua making his debut in the US.
"Yes, absolutely. Anthony is happy to go into that fight next. Wilder was talking about he wants a 50-50 split. This is ridiculous, we're going to have three belts, he's got one.
Wilder: No man can beat meDeontay Wilder insists "no man" can beat him - including Anthony Joshua.
"He's doing his thing in America. Now he's saying that he will take any split, as long as that split is reversed in the rematch. No problem with that. Again, pick up the phone, call me Deontay. It's very easy, we can get it done over a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
"America is fine. We'll do two fights. There's loads of different ways we can do the fight, but let's just get it made."
...................................................
Joshua will fight Parker lighter

Following comments about potentially being too “muscle bound,” Anthony Joshua is looking to come in a more lighter fighter against Joseph Parker on March 31.
Joshua, the holder of the WBA, IBO and IBF belts will clash with
Parker, WBO title holder, in a unification bout.
Eddie Hearn in a conversation with SKY Sports, claimed that Joshua is looking good heading into his unification fight in Cardiff.
“From the day after his Takam fight, all he has been thinking about is how he can improve, get a bit leaner, improve the jab, improve the footwork. He is obsessed with improvement.
”I watched him spar 12 rounds last week. His footwork is so much better – he is gliding on his feet, he has got faster hands. He is so meticulous in camp, like nothing I’ve ever seen.
”He is lighter and started camp earlier so they aren’t having to exhaust him. He is working hard, but much smarter. So far, this is the best camp he’s had. Coming in lighter, he feels great.”
Hearn claims Joshua is currently at 245 pounds, as opposed to his last fight against Carlos Takam in October, 2017, where he walked in at 254 pounds, and five pounds lighter than when he fought Wladimir Klitschko in April of last year.

Caption: Wilder (left) ready for a showdown with Joshua later this year.